Mechanical toy



July 1947- D. R. MOCLURE, JR 2,423,198

' MECHANICAL TOY Fi led Feb. 2, 1946 Patented July 1, 1947 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE MECHANICAL TOY Daniel R. McClure, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 2, 1946, Serial No. 645,136

4 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement devices and has particular referenceto improvements in mechanical toys. It is the object of the invention toprovide a simple and inexpensive toy which may be operated by anyone,young or old, without danger of causing injury to anyone by damaging anynearby object. To this end the invention resides in the combinationshereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing,of which Fig. l is a side elevational view of an amusement deviceembodying the invention, and Fig. 2 is a correspondingly plan view ofthe device.

As illustrated in the drawings the structure of the invention includes,a stem 1 which preferably is square in cross section as shown and inwhich is cut a continuous helical groove 2, an annular disc 3 which isperforated as indicated at 4 to receive an elastic band 5, and a softrubber ball 6 attached to the end of this band. It is important to notethat, as indicated in the drawings, the inner diameter of the disc ismuch larger than the stem of the device.

In order to operate the device it is merely required to slip the annulardisc onto the stem l and to grip the handle portion 1 of this stem. Whenthe stem is held upright in the hand it is found that a disc 3 willslide down the incline of the helix and come to rest on the hand. Whenthereupon the stem is swung about gently without at the same timeaxially rotating the stem, it is found that the disc will commence torise in the windings of the helix. If the swinging movement is stoppedbefore the disc reaches the top of the stem, or at least slowed down, itis found that the disc will again gradually sink to the bottom andindoing so will continue rotating about the stem until it comes to rest inthe hand. The speed with which the disc and ball swing about and rise onthe stem depends entirely upon the speed with which the stem is swungabout. If the speed is further increased it is found that the disc willslip over the top of the stem and fly off into space, but as both the.disc and ball are made of very light and soft material no damage willresult from such escape from the stem. However, if found desirable, itis possible to provide means for limiting the upward movement of thedisc and such means may take the form of a cap 8 which, by means of ascrew 9, is seated on the upper end of the stem.

In this manner a very useful and entertaining mechanical toy isprovided, and while the structure illustrates a preferred form of theinvention I wish it understood that I may embody modifications thereofwithin the scope of the claims hereto appended. It would for example bepossible, in order to provide a more economical toy, to omit the ball 6and the band 5, and the annular disc will still function in the samemanner, but it would, of course, materially detract from theentertainment value of the device.

I claim:

1. The combination with a stem having a helical groove sunk into thesurface thereof and extending through the major portion of the'lengththereof, of an annular disc of much larger internal diameter having aperforation near the outer edge thereof, an elastic band seated in andextending from said perforation, and a rubber ball secured to the end ofsaid band, said disc being freely mounted on the stem and caused to risealong the helical groove thereof in response to swinging movement of thestem while the latter is held against axial rotation.

2. The combination with a square stem having a helical groove extendingfrom one end thereof, the other end of the stem forming a hand grip, ofan annular disc freely mountable on said stem to ride in the groovethereof, said disc having a much larger internal diameter, a lightrubber ball, and an elastic band extending from said ball and anchoredin the outer edge of said disc, the swinging movement of the stem whileit is being held against axial rotation causing the disc and. ball torotate thereabout and to rise in said groove.

3. The combination with a square stem having a helical groove extendingfrom one end thereof, the other end of the stem forming a hand grip, ofan annular disc freely mountable on said stem to ride in the groovethereof, said disc having a much larger internal diameter, a lightrubber ball, an elastic band extending from said ball and anchored inthe outer edge of said disc, the swinging movement of the stem while itis being held against axial rotation causing the disc and ball to rotatethereabout and to rise in said groove, and a cap mountable on the upperend of the stem to limit upward movement of the disc therein.

4. The combination with a stem having a hellcal grove sunk into thesurface thereof and extending through the major portion of the lengththereof, one end of said stem forming a hand grip, of an annular discfreely mountable on said stem for engagement with the groove thereof,the internal diameter of said disc being of much larger diameter, thestem being held in the hand against axial rotation therein, the handholding the stem being swung gently about in a relatively large circleto cause the disc to engage the groove of the stem and slowly to rise insaid groove.

DANIEL R. MCCLURE, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 465,162 Coe Dec. 15, 18911,195,938 Andreas Aug. 22, 1916

